How to Make a Seaside Shadowbox

Get a taste of summer all year round when you display your favorite vacation treasures in this simple Seaside Shadowbox. Use 6" square wooden panels, or choose larger or smaller ones for your project depending on how many seashells, sea glass and starfish you have to show off.

1Stain shadowbox

Turn the wood panel to the back. Apply an even coat of gel stain to the sides. Do not stain the bottom of the shadowbox because you will be covering it with paper later. Wipe away any excess stain with a rag.

2Paint a coat of Driftwood

Using a very dry brush with very little paint applied, brush on a thin coat of Driftwood paint. Leave some areas so thin that the walnut stain peeks through.

3Apply a coat of Warm White

Again, using a very dry brush, with very little paint applied, add a layer of Warm White on top of the Driftwood. The layers underneath will be peeking through your paint.

4Attach panels

Turn your panels over. Apply glue in between all of the panels. Then, use your wood strip, sawed to the correct length, to hold everything together. Use nails to attach each of the 4 panels as shown. Add the sawtooth hanger while everything is upside down. Let dry completely before continuing.

5Paint letters

While the shadowbox dries, paint any letters you will be using in it. We painted the letters SEA with Ice Blue paint.